Stamp-affixer.



J. H. BARHOW.

STAMP AFFIXER.

APPucATmN FILED JAN. 19. |914.

Patented Feb.27,1917.

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JOHN 'HERBERT BARROW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.'

STAMP-AFFIXER.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

Application filed January 19, 1914. Serial No. S13,43.

To aZZ whom t may concern Beit known that Joi-IN'HERBERT BAR- izow, acitizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago,county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Stamp-Aflixers, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to mechanical means for aiiixing stamps, labelsand the like, and more particularly to hand operated devices adapted forfeeding stamps from a spool or roll carried thereby and aflixing them tomail matter. I

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form ofstamp alfixer of the above character adapted either to be carried in thehand, or to be mounted operatively Y upon a suitabler support,preferably of a rigid nature and adapted to remain stationary in use; toprovide reciprocatory clamping means adapted for manual operation forfeeding` the stampv strip forward the length of one stamp at a time; toprovide means operatively connected with the feed means for detachingthe stamps successively from the strip; to provide means alsooperatively connected with the feed means foil` moistenmg the receivingsurface immediately in advance of attaching the stamp; to provide forremoving and moistening a series of stamps at one time when desired; to

provide means for preventing accidental' breaking of the stamp strip ordetachment of stamps otherwise than by the means above indicated; toprovide automatic controlling means for restoring the feed clamp,

cutter and moistener after each operation;

to provide automatic means for collecting the used portion of a ribbonseparated from the stamp strip as the stamps are fed forward; to providefor the prevention of pilfering; and to provide a mounting adapted topivotally supportfthe stamp afiixer whenever desired, in a manneradapted for attaching stamps successively to envelops or the likearranged in suitable stacks of variable height. Y

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of theaiflxei and pivotal support with the afiixer cover removed.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalvertical section taken substantially onthe line A-A of Fig. 1. l v Y Fig. '3 is a fragmentary cross-sectiontaken on the line B-B of Fig. 2, and shows the mechanism of the ribboncollecting spool.

Fig. il is a fragmentary cross-section taken on the line C C of Fig. 2,and'shows the feed clamp and supporting means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the thumb rest.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the reciprocatory feed clampmember.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section showing the locking means.

Fig. S is a longitudinal vertical section of a removable moistenerattachment.

Fig. 9sis a side elevation of the pivot bolt for the' collecting spool.I Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the blade. Tn the construction shown,the hand stamp afiixer 1 is shown mounted .pivotally on a frame 2,adapted to rest upon a table or bench (not shown) yto which'it may besecured if desired by any suitable means as screws 3, for the purpose ofsupporting the large roll-housing end of the afiixer. The mounting frame2 is lprovided with a pair of upright arms or supports 4tv adapted topivotally receive the aflixer 1, as by means of an axial shaft 5 bywhich the aiiixer is oscillatively supported.

The stamp afixer.v proper comprises a housing or frame 6 preferablyformed somewhat pointed at the'forward end and having` an enlarged rearportion adaptedto receive a stamp reel 7 or roll 8 of stamps, labels,o-r the like to be affixed. The said frame is provided with a covermember 9 preferably adapted to be hinged as at the point 12 so as togive access to the interior of the device. Locking means for the Ycoverare provided as illustrated at 13.

The supporting axis 5a for the stamp spool or roll is hollow to receivethe crank which is carried movably by a forwardly projecting springmember' 22, which may be integral with and may constitute the top of thefeed frame. Said frame 18 is guided by coacting means as pins or screws23 on the clamp frame and longitudinal guide slots 24 in the sides ofthe aifixer frame. The frame 18 is held normally in its rearwardposition, as shown, by any suitable yielding means as a restoring spring25. The cushion 25:L on the under side of spring 22 assists in feedingthe stamps. The range of movement of the feed frame 18 may be adjustedto correspond with the length of a stamp whereby the stamp strip isadvanced the exact length of a stamp by each forward movement of thefeed frame 18. For this purpose a thumb screw 26 is adjustably mountedto variably limit the forward strokel of the frame 18, said screw being`accessible for adjustment with the thumb and finger through the opening27 in the under side of the frame 6.

Severing means for detaching the foremost stamp are provided comprisinga sta tionary shear member 28 and a movable blade member 29 of suitableform attached to the forward portion of the clamp spring 22. The edge ofsaid blade is preferably serrated to correspond with the perforationsbetween adjacent stamps.

For the purpose of shifting the forward stamp 17 when detached ahead andsliding it onto the envelop or other body (not shown) to be stamped, aresilient cushion member 31 is provided on the under side of the forwardportion of the clamp spring 22 in advance of said blade. Y

The housing 6 is provided with a for wardly projecting part 6.1 whichserves as a bearing plate for the cushion 31 and which is adapted toreceive the stamps as they are severed from the strip.

Improved non-gumming means are provided for moistening the receivingsurface, comprising a reservoir 35 carried on the forward extremity ofthe feed spring 22, and provided with a downward outlet preferv ablyequipped with a wick 37 adapted to provide a suitable amount of moistureto accomplish the purpose desired, the moisture being applied directlyin front of the stamp attaching cushion 31 as the feed mechanism isdepressed and advanced.

n order to assist the feeding of the stamp strip from the spool or rollto the cutter 28, and more especially to prevent tearing or breaking ofthe strip especially when stamps are used having the usual series ofcloseset perforations, a ribbon 40 is provided, said ribbon being woundupon the spool with the stamps and passing through the feed clamp withthe stamps. Normally the ribbon passes with the stamps to a pointadjacent to the cutter where it is arranged for the ribbon to turndownward over a roller Ll2 and thence backward to a receiving spool 43mounted on a pivot axis 44C where the used ribbon is collected and savedfor subsequent use.

rlhe said collecting spool is operated by any suitable means adapted topromptly take up the ribbon as fast as itis fed through the said clamp.To this end the collecting spool is associated preferably with a ratchetwheel f5 and an oscillatory arm l-G carrying a ratchet 47 adapted toengage the teeth on said ratchet wheel. The said arm is operated bymeans of a link i8 connected to the oscillatory feed frame 18 wherebythe said ratchet wheel is given a definite positive turn for eachforward movement of the feed clamp. l/Vith this construction thediameter of the core of the collecting spool 43 is such that the rotarymovement imparted thereto by said ratchet will be sufficient at alltimes to take up the ribbon as fast as it passes through the feedmechanism, and moreover will impart a substantial tension thereto.

ln order to compensate for the gradual increase in the diameter of theroll of ribbon as it winds upon the collecting spool, connecting meansof a yielding nature are provided adapted to permit the rotation of thespool to lag sul'liciently behind that of the ratchet wheel to avoid toomuch tension on the ribbon, said equalizing means preferably operatingby friction, and may comprise a friction member 50 disposed between theratchet wheel l5 and one flange or head of the spool 48. The frictionmember is preferably carried by the ratchet wheel and may comprise aplurality of distributed parts as shown. Means are provided foradjusting the tension on said friction means, as by means -of a thumbscrew 52 and a spring w asher 53 coaxial with the spool 43. A spacingbushing' 54 holds the spool away from the wall 6. 1n case it is desirednot to collect the ribbon, the same may be torn from time to time as itemerges from the feed clamp, in which case it will not pass around theroller .l2 but will depend directly from the forward edge of the lowerjaw 19 which may be provided with a sharp edge or corner adapted tofacilitate tearing away the free end of the ribbon. 1When thus used thewaste ribbon may escape through the opening 27 in the bottom of thehousing G.

Means are provided to prevent the stamps from moving backward throughthe feed clamp when the latter is released, a spring 57 preferably beingprovided therefor. Braking means, as a spring 58, is also arranged tobear upon the spool or roll 8, preferably transaxially, to retard andsteady the unwinding thereof, said means serving for various sizes andshapes of rolls.

The cover 9 extends forward to a point adjacent to the thumb rest 59,and -is preferably formed with downwardly turned flanges 61 to overlapthe sides of the housing 6, and adjacent to the point 13 are embossedslightly to register with corresponding portions of the frame 6, vsothat normali the cover will be held closed yieldably, the rame and coverbeing somewhat resilient, so as to spring or snap together. v

Locking means adapted to secure the cover closed and also preventfeeding of stamps' may comprise a bolt 62 adapted for inserting throughperforations 63 in the walls of frame 6 near the point 13, and in thepath of the feed frame, said cover having in its ianges perforationsarranged in registry with the perforations in the housing walls, andsaid bolt passing through said registering perforations. The bolt 62 isheaded on one end 64 and the opposite end 65 is perforated to receivethe bar 67 of a padlock. By cutting ofi' the projecting stamp 17a whenthrough using, and locking the feed member, pilfering of stamps may beprevented.

A slot or opening 66 is provided in the cover adapted to permit feedinga strip of stamps 17b through the feed clamp independently of the supplyspool or roll 8 when desired, instead of from the roll..

rlhe forward end of the frame 6 terminates in a pair of lateral members7 0 adapted to guide the forward end of the feed spring and moistener.These arms 7 0 are preferably pointed in order to facilitatemanipulating the envelops, etc., when desired.

The operation of the device is as follows: To insert a spool or roll,the cover member is swung back on its hinge thus enabling the operatorto insert the spool or roll into the large end of the frame where itwill be rotatively supported. The end of the stamp strip together withthe ribbon associated therewith, in case a ribbon is used, is threadeddiagonally forward and downward through the feed clamp to the forwardend of the frame, the forward stamp being fed outV beneath the cutterand the ribbon downward around the roller 42 and back to the collectingspool to which Vit is secured-ready for winding up the ribbon as it isfed forward. The position of the stamp strip is adjusted so that theperforations register with the position of the blade.

l/Jhen the device is to be carried in the hand, the reciprocating membercomprising the clamp cutter, etc., is operated by the thumb and whenready for use the forward end of the afriXer is placed on the surface toreceive the stamp. The thumb is pressed down causing the cutter to severthe forward stamp and at the same time close the feed clamp upon thestamp strip and also bringI the forward cushion down upon the severedstamp. The wick of the moistener is thereby brought into contact withthe receiving surface. rThe thumb is then moved forward whereby thevwick passes over the receiving surface, and the stamp 17a is slidforward thereon where it is securely aflixed by the downward 4pressureof the front cushion 31. The feed clamp also advances the stamp stripsufficiently to bring the next stamp into position ready for cutting effby the next downward movement. The forward movement of the stamps isalso assisted by the cushion disposed over the forward roller. Theribbon is taken up by the collecting spool and any slackness thereof isprevented. The thumb is then raised, thereby releasing the cuttersupporting spring, which immediately rises and the reciprocatory memberas a whole is restored diagonally upward and backward by means of thespring 25 ready for a repetition of the operation.

When the stamps are all removed a fresh supply may be provided asfollows: The empty spool may be taken out and a loaded spool inserted orthe empty spool may be recharged. In either case the cover 9 is openedand one end of a strip of stampsvis inserted under the ribbon whereuponbyl turning the crank 71 the ribbon may be wound back from thecollecting spool onto the supply spool, together with the new strip ofstamps, said strip being formed if desired by tearing ordinarycommercial blocks of stamps into strips and sticking them together atthe ends. During this charging operation the tension on the frictionmeans associated with the collecting spool may be released sufficientlyto permit the ribbon to unwind freely therefrom. If commercial stamprolls are used the ribbon may be omitted if desired and the rolls orspools freely interchanged.

There are circumstances under which it is preferable to mount the stampaffixer on the supporting frame 2 during the stamping operation. Itl maythen be operated as follows: The front portion of the' device is grippedwith one hand as by means of the upwardly projecting moistener 35, andthe forward end of the affixer raised successively to permit moving theenvelops or the like into position successively, one upon another, underthe forward end, the stamp feed mechanism being operated by one handwhile the envelops or other objects to be stamped are manipulated withthe other hand. i

There are times 'when it is desirable to attach a series of stamps onthe same receiving surface, as upon an object to be sent by parcel-post.In order to. facilitate attaching such a strip or series of stamps mostconveniently and expeditiously, a separate supplementary moistener 72carried on arms 73 may be attached at the forward end of the guide arms70 of the aiiixer frame, adapted for moistening the under side of thestrip of stamps, which strip may be drawn forward through the open feedclamp jaws and over the moistening attachment 72 independently of thefeed mechanism, by gripping the forward stamp with one hand while theaflixer frame may be held by the other hand. During this operation thethumb-piece 59 is not depressed and a passage for the stamp strip isthereby left between the severing members 28 and 29. At the forward edgeof the supplementary moistener a cutting blade 74 is provided by meansof which the strip of stamps or labels may be readily severed by pullingdown on the strip over the cutting edge. rihe strip of stamps thusremoved is attached to the parcel or other" object by hand.- A cross bar77 extends between the arms 7 3 so as to guide the stamp strip down awayfrom the moistener wick 37. When the afiixer is to be used in the usualway for attaching individual stamps, the supplementary moistenerattachment 7 2 may be removed. This attachment may be secured by anyconvenient means, thumb screws 7 9, one pair on each side, being shownin the present embodiment.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown,it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shownmay be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of thisinvention, as dened by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stamp afiixer comprising a housing frame, means carried by saidframe for supplying a continuous strip of stamps, a step feed memberadapted to advance the strip al definite amount for each operationthereof, means for severing the stamps successively after the strip isadvanced, means for sliding the severed stamp forward onto a receivingsurface, and moistener means carried by the said feed mechanism formoistening the receiving surface in advance of the stamp.

2. A stamp aflixer comprising a housing frame, means therein adapted formounting a strip of stamps arranged in a roll together with a backingribbon, step-by-step feed mechanism adapted for operation by the thumbfor advancing the stamp strip and ribbon the exact length of a stamp foreach operative movement of the thumb, severing means adapted to removethe foremost stamp from the stripat the beginning of and by eachoperative movement of the thumb, means actuated by each operativemovement of the thumb for moistening a receiving surface, means alsoactuated by each operative movement of the thumb for sliding thedetached stamp into place upon the moistened surface, and automaticmeans for collective winding of the used portion of the ribbon.

3. A stamp afixer comprising a stationary supporting frame incombination with a housing frame oscillatively supported thereon, saidhousing frame being formed and adapted to receive a strip of stamps inthe form of a roll and having feed mechanism adapted to advance thestrip successively the exact length of a stamp, means operativelyconnected to the feed mechanism for severing the stamps, for moisteninga receiving surface and for advancing the severed stamps thereupon, theforward end of the stamp aflixer being vertically movable with respectto the frame to receive objects of variable height upon which the stampsare to be affixed.

4L. A stamp aliixer comprising a frame, means carried by said frame forsupporting a strip of stamps, a reciprocating carriage for advancing thestrip at each operation thereof, a moistening device carried by saidcarriage and traveling in advance of said strip of stamps, and means foraflixing the stamps.

5. A stamp affixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying astrip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing thestrip, means carried by said feed mechanism for moistening a receivingsurface, means for severing the stamps successively as the strip isadvanced, and means for afiixing the severed stamps to the moistenedreceiving surface.

6. A stamp aifixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying astrip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing thestrip at each operation thereof, means carried by said feed mechanismfor moistening a receiving surface, means for severing the stampssuccessively as the strip is advanced and comprising a pair of coactingmembers, one of which is rigidly disposed on one side of the path forthe strip, and the other of which is operatively supported on theopposite side of the path for the strip by said feed mechanism, andmeans for applying the severed stamp to the moistened receiving surface.

7. A stamp afiixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying astrip of stamps, feed mechanism carried by said frame for advancing thestrip at each oper` ation thereof, means carried by said feed mechanismfor moistening a receiving surface, means for severing the stampssuccessively as the strip is advanced and comprising a pair of coactingmembers, one of which is rigidly disposed on one side of the path forthe strip, and the other of which is operatively supported on theopposite side of the path for the strip by said feed mechanism,

one of said severing members having a ser- 8. A stamp afliXer comprisinga housing frame, means for supplying a strip of stamps, feed mechanismfor said stamps comprising a reciprocatory clamp frame, a spring membercarried by said feed mechanism, said spring member being arranged formanual operation for closing the clamp and for moving the clamp frameforward to advance the stamps, means for severing the stamps from thestrip and applying them to a receiving surface, and means forautomatically restoring the feed mechanism.

9. A stamp affixer comprising a housing frame, means for supplying astrip of stamps, feed mechanism for said stamps comprising areciprocatory clamp frame formed to close for forward movement and toopen for rearward movement, a spring member carried by said feedmechanism, said spring member being arranged for manual operation forclosing the clamp and for moving the clamp frame forward to advance thestamps, means for severing the stamps from the strip and applying themto a receiving surface, and means for automatically restoring the feedmechanism.

10. In a stamp afhxer, feed mechanism comprising a reciprocatory clampframe movable longitudinally of the housing, onev of the clamp jawsbeing movable, a spring memberl carried by said feed mechanism andsupporting the movable jaw, said spring member being adapted for manualoperation for closing the clamp and for moving the clamp frame forwardto advance the stamps, means for automatically restoring the feedmechanism, said housing and clamp frame being mutually formed andadapted to guide sail feed mechanism in its forward and backwardmovement, means for severing the stamps from the strip, and means forailixing the severed stamps to a receiving surface.

11. In a stamp afliXer adapted for using stamps wound upon a roll with aribbon and comprising a housing frame, a feed mechanism adapted formanual operation, said feed mechanism comprising a reciprocatory clampadapted to close for forward movement and to open for rearward movement,and a collecting spoo-l adapted to receive the used portion of theribbon as the stamps are used and separated therefrom, said collectingspool being actuated automatically by connection with the feedmechanism, said collecting spooland actuating means therefor beingadapted to provide asuitable degree of tension upon the ribbon as it iswound thereupon, means for severing the stamps from the strip, and meansfor affiXing the severed stamps to a receiving surface.

12. In a stamp aiiXer adapted for using stamps wound in a roll togetherwith a ribbon, a ribbon collecting spool arranged to receive the ribbonas the stamps are fed forward, a ratchet wheel operated by the feedmeans, said ratchet wheel being connected to the collecting spool byyielding frictio-n means, said collecting spool and ratchet wheel beingadapted to insure a suitable degree of tension on the ribbon and saidfriction means being adapted to prevent excessive tension on the ribbon,means for severing the stalnps from the strip, and means for affixingthe severed stamps to a receiving surface.

13. In a stamp afliXer having a severing member carried on areciprocating feed arm, an affiXing pad disposed on said arm in advanceof the severing member and projecting downward below the same, theaiixer housing having a forwardly projecting bearing plate beneath saidpad for receivingthe stamp when severed, said pad being adapted to slidethe stamp forward from said bearing plate onto a receiving surface whenthe said arm is moved forward.

'14. In a stamp alfixer having a reciprocatory stamp feed member, aforwardly projecting arm carried by said feed member, and a moistenerattachment carried by and at the forward end of said arm, said moistenerbeing adapted and arranged to contact with the receiving surface formoistening the same when the feed member is moved forward to deliver astamp.

15. A stamp afHXer comprising a housing frame adapted to carry a stripof stamps, in combination with longitudinally reciprocatory feed means,said means comprising a resilient arm the forward end of which isadapted and arranged to oscillate vertically, said arm being providedwith means for severing the stamps successively and for sliding thesevered stamps forward onto the receiving surface and a downwardlyfacing moistener carried on the forward end of said armV in advance ofthe severing and sliding means adapted to moisten the receiving surfaceimmediately in advance of the stamp as the latter is slid forward intoplace.

16. A stamp afxing device adapted for feedin stampsforward and alfixingsame successively, and also having a forwardly disposed upwardly facingremovable attachment adapted for moistening a series of stamps as theyare drawn from the aliixer for manually attaching a plurality of stampsin one group.

17. A stamp aiixing device having `means thereover for manuallyattachinga plurality for attaching stamps automatically in sucof stamps in onegroup. l, cession and also having a removable attach- Signed at Chicagothis 15th clay of J anment comprising a moistener having a Wick nary,19111.

on the under side adapted to meisten the JOHN HERBERT BARROV. receivingsurface and also a Wick on the up Witnesses:

per side adapted to meisten the under side FREDM-DAV1S,

of the stamp strip as it is drawn forward WILLIAM E. HANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

